Disney World News: Epcot Ride Update, Festival of the Arts Dates, New Snacks & Closures

Epcot Ride Transformation

• ✈️ Soarin' Around the World is being reimagined into Soarin' Across America, set to debut in summer 2026.
• 🇺🇸 The new version will showcase the beauty and iconic cityscapes of the United States, celebrating the country's 250th birthday.
• 🖼️ Disney Imagineers have captured over a dozen new scenes, and classic elements like the flight, sights, and music will be retained.

Disney Celebrating America Initiative

• 🎆 In 2026, Disney is launching Disney Celebrating America, a year-long initiative commemorating America's 250th birthday.
• 📺 Festivities will culminate on the Fourth of July weekend with a 24-hour multiplatform broadcast, including special fireworks from Disney World and Disneyland.
• 📺 The broadcast will feature hosts from various Disney-owned platforms, including ABC News, ESPN, and National Geographic.

Festival of the Arts and Holiday Events

• 🎨 The 2026 International Festival of the Arts at Epcot is confirmed to run from January 16th to February 23rd.
• 🍔 Attendees can anticipate food booths, art displays, concerts, and merchandise.
• 🎃 Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios will feature new character meet-and-greets, including Miguel from Coco and Chewbacca for Life Day.
• 🎶 The event will also include new entertainment, expanded park entry hours, and over 35 new treats, with menus released for the event.

Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Construction & Closures

• 🏗️ DinoLand U.S.A. in Animal Kingdom is closing in phases to make way for Play! Pavilion.
• 🍦 Dino Bite Snacks and Trilobites have permanently closed, with some popular items like Buffalo Chicken Chips moving to Eight Spoon Cafe.
• 🍿 A new snack stand, likely featuring popcorn, is under construction in Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
• 🎢 Spaceship Earth at Epcot has soft-opened ahead of its original reopening date after routine maintenance.

New Epcot and Disney Springs Food Offerings

• 🧀 Smiling Crocodile in Animal Kingdom now offers Arepas with pulled pork or pulled chicken, available for a limited four-hour window daily.
• 🌭 Terror Treats in Animal Kingdom has reopened with new items, including a plant-based Colombian-style hot dog and a POG juice limeade.
• 🍰 The Cake Bake Shop at Disney's Boardwalk is offering seasonal fall treats like pumpkin spice cinnamon roll cake and pumpkin cheesecake.
• 🇫🇷 A seasonal pumpkin macaron with vanilla and pumpkin ice cream is available at Lardes & Ladles in Epcot's France Pavilion.
• 🥩 Homecoming in Disney Springs has debuted new dishes, including a meatloaf and a smothered chicken, alongside a new cocktail called the Honeybee.
• 🥐 Vivoli Gelato in Disney Springs now offers a pistachio gelato croissant filled with pistachio gelato and drizzled with pistachio cream.